Hooker Keith Wood will make his first start for Quins this weekend since the serious neck injury he suffered playing for Ireland back in September.

Quins make three changes, two enforced, to the team that defeated Bath last weekend for this Sunday's Zurich Premiership match away to Saracens at Vicarage Road.

With David Slemen returning at fly half to replace Will Greenwood and Bruce Starr coming in for Jason Leonard,
Quins are delighted to confirm that Keith Wood will make his first start at hooker since the serious neck injury he suffered playing for Ireland back in
September.

Following a final scan earlier this week, Wood was given the all clear to return to action and will therefore start in the Quins line-up for the first time since 14th September 2002. Wood's progress has been closely monitored by the medical teams of both NEC Harlequins and Ireland, and both camps are delighted to see him return to action.

"It is great to see Keith back fit again, and once the scan results were known we were very keen to get him
involved," said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive. "Clearly he is unlikely to last the full 80
minutes, but we are delighted to have him back and available to play."

"Sunday will be a difficult game against a well organised Saracens team. Playing any Premiership game away from home these days is a tough ask, but we are looking forward to the challenge."

In Leonard's absence, Tony Diprose will captain the team against his former club. However, Andre Vos will take over the captaincy when Quins play London Wasps in the Premiership at the Stoop next weekend (17th November 2002).

The full team is as follows:

15. Nathan Williams
14. Matt Moore
13. Viliame Satala
12. Nick Greenstock
11. Ben Gollings
10. David Slemen
9. Nick Duncombe
1. Bruce Starr
2. Keith Wood
3. Laurent Gomez
4. Bill Davison
5. Alex Codling
6. Ace Tiatia
7. Andre Vos
8. Tony Diprose (Capt.)

Replacements: TBC